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Tewksbury nonprofit will disband

By Katie Lannan, klannan@lowellsun.com

Updated:
03/11/2013 06:32:22 AM EDT

TEWKSBURY -- A local nonprofit that has operated sports leagues for area youth with special needs announced last week it would disband, after board members resigned amid disagreement stemming from an alleged embezzlement.

Friends of Special Ed Kidz President Vini Messina said the athletic programs would continue, now as part of Liam Nation Inc., a Tewksbury-based fundraising organization supporting people with cognitive and developmental delays.

"They were so excited about having the athletic programs as part of their program, because we both have the same purpose," Messina said of Liam Nation.

Founded in 2009, FOSEK sponsors volunteer-coached basketball, tee-ball, kickball and soccer leagues for children with special needs from throughout the Merrimack Valley.

Messina said the sporting schedule will continue as planned, with soccer season set to start April 13, now as part of the new Liam Nation Athletics.

Liam Nation board member Lisa Puccia will serve as program director for Liam Nation Athletics. Messina said he will also remain involved.

In 2004, as part of the Tewksbury Special Education Parent Advisory Council, Puccia began the special-needs athletic programs that would later develop into FOSEK.

"Now that it's come around again, I'm absolutely thrilled to pick this up," she said.

With the spring soccer and kickball leagues set to begin soon, Puccia said those sports will be offered much the same way they were under FOSEK.

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When fall sports kick off later this year, there will be more of a revamp, she said.

A letter sent to FOSEK members last week said the organization's board of directors voted unanimously on Feb. 8 to dissolve the group, reallocating its programs and funding to another group with a similar mission. A unanimous vote by the Liam Nation board 10 days letter approved the plan for that organization to take on the athletic programs.

The announcement cited no reason for the dissolution of FOSEK, but Messina said the decision was prompted by the resignations of three board members who had been dissatisfied with his handling of an ongoing embezzlement scandal.

"They all immediately pointed the finger at me, took no responsibility at all," Messina said. "I probably should have been more diligent, but everyone else was at the same board meetings."

Former FOSEK Treasurer LaShanta Magnusson was arrested in October for allegedly making more than $5,100 in unauthorized payments using the group's funds. Magnusson, who pleaded not guilty to one count of embezzlement, is due back in court March 27.

Bob Gill, who served on FOSEK's board as the corporate sponsorship director, said he asked Messina to step down as the group's president and CEO because it was Messina who was ultimately in charge of the finances. Gill said the embezzlement scandal made local businesses leery about donating.

"As long as the people who were responsible were still there, they can't in good faith and heart give money," Gill said.

He said he resigned after realizing that "trying to do it from the inside wouldn't work" but later offered to come back.

Messina said he's been the target of pointed criticism from ex-board members.

"I am out trying to do a good thing, and I'm just hoping that the families don't listen to the individuals," he said. "It's apparent to them what we're doing, and we're doing it for their kids."

Despite their disagreement over the group's management, Messina and Gill both said that maintaining a program for athletes with special needs should be a priority in the community.

"I've talked to a lot of the parents," said Gill. "They would be devastated if their kids lost it. It's something that these kids don't get a lot of. They're usually the kids that are sitting on the bench and not chosen, so its' definitely a big boost for them, both physically and emotionally."

Gill, who ran FOSEK's tee-ball program, said he hopes to remain involved with Liam Nation Athletics.

In light of the past controversy with FOSEK, Puccia said Liam Nation Athletics will be committed to transparency. She said she plans on "making sure the books are open," with regular audits, and having quarterly member meetings to gather input. Policies and bylaws will be adjusted as well.

"We need to look at what happened in the past to prevent it from happening in the future," she said. "We're not taking on the problems, we're just taking on the programming."

Liam Nation Athletics will host a registration event in conjunction with the Community Pancake Breakfast on Sunday at the Tewksbury Elks Lodge. Liam Nation members will register athletes for its spring soccer program, which will be offered for free this season to introduce the new program to the community.

"This way, we can let us show them what we're aiming to do for their kids," Liam Nation President Erin Knyff said. "We're not trying to take anything away from all of the work that FOSEK did, but sometimes these things happen in life. I think that Liam Nation can honor what they did in a totally new way."

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